Business Data Analysts: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of business data analysts about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for business data analysts to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of business data analysts expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for business data analysts.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Business Data Analysts?
Do business data analysts need a degree? What kind of experience do business data analysts typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for business data analysts to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Business Data Analysts
Jobs Postings for Business Data Analysts By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 139,774 (55%)
- No Education Listed: 57,613 (23%)
- Master's degree: 39,522 (15%)
- High School or GED: 12,143 (5%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 6,315 (2%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of business data analysts. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 55% of positions. In 23% of job listings no education level was listed and in 15% of postings a master's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Business Data Analysts
Jobs Postings for Business Data Analysts By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 15,751 (11%)
- 2-3 Years: 44,799 (31%)
- 4-6 Years: 53,622 (37%)
- 7-9 Years: 17,993 (12%)
- 10+ Years: 13,706 (9%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for business data analysts. In 37% of job postings for Business Data Analysts, employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience. In 31% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 7-9 years of experience was sought in 12% of job postings for business data analysts.
What Kind of Degree Do Business Data Analysts Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for business data analysts, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 25 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective business data analysts, and in 2023 a total of 556,656 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective business data analysts.
Top Degree Programs for Business Data Analysts
Top 5 Degree Programs for Business Data Analysts (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General. | 335,156 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | 57,116 |
| Political Science and Government, General. | 44,606 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | 29,564 |
| Organizational Leadership. | 15,298 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General. | 335,156 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | 57,116 |
| Political Science and Government, General. | 44,606 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | 29,564 |
| Organizational Leadership. | 15,298 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other. | 13,002 |
| Environmental Studies. | 10,429 |
| Management Information Systems, General. | 10,110 |
| Environmental Science. | 9,888 |
| Operations Management and Supervision. | 5,855 |
| Business Analytics. | 5,235 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | 4,872 |
| Project Management. | 4,299 |
| Natural Resources/Conservation, General. | 3,026 |
| Health Services Administration. | 3,016 |
| Data Analytics, General. | 1,256 |
| Accounting and Business/Management. | 1,214 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other. | 795 |
| Financial Analytics. | 729 |
| Applied Statistics, General. | 541 |
| Management Information Systems and Services, Other. | 318 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research, Other. | 247 |
| Data Analytics, Other. | 44 |
| Data Visualization. | 30 |
| Institutional Research. | 10 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Business Data Analysts
Maximize prior learning credit or transfer credit and earn a transfer-friendly online A.A.S. in Business Administration.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
With an associate of science in business administration degree, you’ll dig into the functional areas of business and learn how to connect each function with the others to advance business goals and further outcomes while you prepare for a variety of roles in operations, sales, management and coordination.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Build in-demand skills in programming, data management and cloud computing with Franklin’s online data science bachelor’s degree.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Integrate data-driven insights into business processes and strategies with Franklin’s online business analytics degree.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Excel in the rapidly growing healthcare industry with comprehensive training in healthcare management, informatics and systems.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Gain college credit for your training and work experience and prepare to move into management or grow your small business.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Build a strong foundation of real-world business knowledge suitable for a variety of career options in your industry of choice.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Become a transformative, motivational leader in any work environment using performance-improvement and team-building methods.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Class Type: 100% online
- Years To Complete: 3
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 12
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Blend business essentials with leading-edge analytics and become an innovative leader with Franklin’s 18-month online STEM MBA.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 18
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Get theory-to-practice knowledge in data management, data visualization and data-informed decision making to improve efficiency and effectiveness in all areas of business with Franklin’s online accredited MBA with a Specialization in Business Analytics.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Create a high-performance culture by broadening your knowledge of leadership theory, change management and managerial psychology through Franklin’s online accredited MBA with a Specialization in Organizational Leadership.
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Develop into a well-rounded, adaptive and strategic business leader with a comprehensive mindset.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your master's degree online and earn real-world skills to advance your career within public service.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn a 14-month online Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree with a Specialization in Healthcare and gain interdisciplinary communication and decision-making skills alongside specialized knowledge on healthcare policies, operations and analytics.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree with a Specialization in Human Resources and build the leadership skills to advance a government or public service agency alongside an emphasis on strategic HR best practices.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Business Data Analysts Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by business data analysts to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for business data analysts, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Business Data Analysts
Based on 211,466 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Business Data Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 61,840 | 29% |
| Business Process | 46,162 | 22% |
| Data Analysis | 45,850 | 22% |
| Business Requirements | 37,223 | 18% |
| SQL (Programming Language) | 34,894 | 17% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Business Data Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 102,000 | 48% |
| Management | 91,692 | 43% |
| Problem Solving | 57,825 | 27% |
| Leadership | 56,452 | 27% |
| Operations | 53,557 | 25% |
Based on 211,466 job postings related to business data analysts, project management was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 29% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for business process, data analysis, business requirements, sql (programming language) and finance were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for business data analysts, followed by management, problem solving, leadership, operations and microsoft excel.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 61,840 | 29% |
| Business Process | 46,162 | 22% |
| Data Analysis | 45,850 | 22% |
| Business Requirements | 37,223 | 18% |
| SQL (Programming Language) | 34,894 | 17% |
| Finance | 32,022 | 15% |
| Agile Methodology | 31,069 | 15% |
| Business Analysis | 30,362 | 14% |
| Process Improvement | 28,825 | 14% |
| Workflow Management | 26,854 | 13% |
| Computer Science | 25,286 | 12% |
| Accounting | 21,253 | 10% |
| Marketing | 19,514 | 9% |
| Change Management | 18,677 | 9% |
| Tableau (Business Intelligence Software) | 17,461 | 8% |
| Auditing | 17,392 | 8% |
| Dashboard | 16,849 | 8% |
| Scrum (Software Development) | 16,006 | 8% |
| Management Consulting | 15,911 | 8% |
| User Story | 15,704 | 7% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 102,000 | 48% |
| Management | 91,692 | 43% |
| Problem Solving | 57,825 | 27% |
| Leadership | 56,452 | 27% |
| Operations | 53,557 | 25% |
| Microsoft Excel | 48,036 | 23% |
| Planning | 47,839 | 23% |
| Writing | 43,780 | 21% |
| Presentations | 41,970 | 20% |
| Research | 41,822 | 20% |
| Detail Oriented | 36,224 | 17% |
| Customer Service | 35,658 | 17% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 34,667 | 16% |
| Microsoft Office | 34,080 | 16% |
| Sales | 28,952 | 14% |
| Consulting | 27,869 | 13% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 27,231 | 13% |
| Coordinating | 27,156 | 13% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 26,991 | 13% |
| Analytical Skills | 23,108 | 11% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about business data analysts? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for business data analysts.
What do business data analysts do?
How much do business data analysts make?
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.